Non-slip cable tie

ABSTRACT

A cable tie includes a band having a first end and a second end. The cable tie also includes a housing, affixed to the band near the second end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band, configured to lock the first end of the band in place when the housing receives the first end via the first opening. The band includes an ear clamp. The ear clamp includes: a front wall perpendicular to a top surface of the band; a rear wall perpendicular to the top surface of the band; and a top panel parallel to the top surface of the band and perpendicular to both the front wall and the rear wall. One end of the front wall is adjoined to the first end; one end of the rear wall is adjoined to the second end; one end of the top panel is adjoined to the other end of the front wall; and the other end of the top panel is adjoined to the other end of the rear wall. When the band is wrapped about one or more items, the first end is inserted into the housing, and the band is tightened about the items, the cable tie is in a closed configuration.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 based on U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/083,395 filed Nov. 24, 2014, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A cable tie is used for fastening, binding, bundling, and/or organizingcables/wires, pipes, pieces of wood, and/or any other items/load thatcan be tied with rope, tape, etc. Different types of cable ties are madefor use in different environments and applications. For example, somecable ties are made for outdoor use. Some cable ties are made for aspecific industry, such as the food industry. Some are made forheavy-duty use (e.g., cable ties made of metal), for bundling largecables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments describedherein and, together with the description, explain the embodiments. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1A is an isometric perspective top/side view of an exemplary cabletie in an open configuration according to one implementation;

FIG. 1B is an isometric perspective bottom/side view of the cable tie ofFIG. 1A in the open configuration;

FIG. 2 is an expanded isometric perspective top/side view of the cabletie of FIG. 1A in the closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of the cabletie of FIG. 1A in the closed configuration;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional side view of the cable tie before an end ofthe cable tie of FIG. 1A is inserted into a locking body of the cabletie;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional side view of the cable tie when the end ofthe cable tie of FIG. 1A is partially inserted into the locking body ofthe cable tie;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional side views of the cable tie after the endof the cable tie of FIG. 1A is inserted into the locking body and thecable tie is in the closed configuration;

FIG. 5A is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of the cabletie according to another implementation;

FIG. 5B is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of the cabletie according to yet another implementation,

FIGS. 6A-6C are cross-sectional side views of the cable tie according todifferent implementations;

FIG. 7A is an isometric perspective top/side view of an exemplary cabletie in the open configuration according to another implementation;

FIGS. 7B and 7C are top and side views, respectively, of the cable tieof FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7D illustrates different forces that are applied to one ofexemplary wave springs of FIGS. 7A-7C;

FIG. 7E and 7F illustrate different indentations on the wave springs ofFIGS. 7A-7C;

FIG. 8A is an isometric perspective top/side view of an exemplary cabletie in the open configuration according to yet another implementation;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary ear clamp of thecable tie of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is an expanded view of the ear clamp of the cable tie of FIG.8A;

FIG. 8D is an isometric perspective top/side view of the cable tie ofFIG. 8A after the cable tie is tightened by crushing the ear clamp;

FIG. 8E is a cross-sectional side view of the exemplary ear clamp of thecable tie of FIG. 8A after the ear clamp has been crushed;

FIG. 9A is an isometric perspective top/side view of an ear clampaccording to another exemplary implementation; and

FIG. 9B and 9C are cross-sectional side views of an ear clamp accordingto other implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements.

As used herein, the term “cable tie” may refer to a tie for bindingdifferent types of items, such as wires, cables, pipes, etc.

As described herein, a no-slip cable tie may provide for a small/minimumslack in binding, fastening or bundling cables. To tie/bundle cablesusing the no-slip cable tie, one end of a band, of the cable tie, thatencircles the cables is inserted into the housing of a locking body ofthe cable tie. When the end of the band is inserted within the housingof the locking body, the band pushes a ball bearing within the housingtoward an inner wall of the housing. Another ball within the housing,however, prevents the ball bearing from moving backwards beyond a pointand bumping into the inner wall. When the band is pulled/tugged in theforward direction away from the inner wall, the ball bearing, beingclose to a front of the wall, prevents the end of the band from slippingand locks the band in place. Because the other ball prevents the ballbearing from moving about in the housing, the ball bearing continues tolock the band in place.

FIG. 1A shows an isometric perspective top/side view of an exemplarycable tie 100 in an open configuration according to one implementation,together with an xyz-axes 101. As shown, cable tie 100 includes lockingbody 102 and a band 104. In FIG. 1A, cable tie 100 is oriented such thatband 104 extends along the x-axis of xyz-axes 101 and the unit normalvector of the flat surface of band 104 is parallel to the z-axis. Band104 has an interior portion inside of housing 108.

When band 104 is wrapped about cables and an end of band 104 (e.g.,section 116-3) is inserted within locking body 102, locking body 102prevents the end from slipping back out of locking body 102 and the bandfrom unwrapping about the cables.

Locking body 102 includes a side wall 106-1, a top wall 106-2, a sidewall 106-3, bottom walls 106-4 and 106-5 (shown in FIG. 1B), and housing108. Walls 106-1 through 106-5 (collectively referred to as “walls 106”)extend along the x-axis from a side face 112-1 to a side face 112-2(shown in FIG. 1B). In one implementation, walls 106 may be made of onecontinuous strip of rigid material wrapped (e.g., loosely) about band104, such that there is a gap/opening 114-1 and gap/opening 114-2 (FIG.1B) between walls 106 and band 104.

Housing 108 includes a side portion 110-1 (also referred to as a “stop110-1”), a top portion 110-2, and a side portion 110-3 (collectivelyreferred to as “portions 110”). As further described below, portions 110are configured/shaped to enclose and interact with elements withinhousing 108, to prevent a portion of band 104 (which was insertedthrough opening 114-1 and 114-2) from sliding out from housing 108 whenno-slip cable tie 100 is in the closed configuration. In FIG. 1A,housing 108 is in the shape of a dome, and may be made of steel,plastic, or another suitable material.

Band 104 includes an entrance section 116-1, a middle section 116-2, andan end section 116-3. Band 104 also includes edges, two of which areillustrated as a side edge 120-1 and front edge 120-3. In oneembodiment, side edge 120-1 and front edge 120-3 form an acute angle,such that, along the side edge 120-1 and parallel to the x-axis, the endof band 104 tapers to a tip 122 that can be more easily inserted into agap/opening 114-2 (see FIG. 1B) after band 104 is bound aroundcables/wires, to result in a closed (loop) configuration. The end of tip122 may be rounded, so that a user may not easily and accidentallypuncture oneself with tip 122. In one embodiment, when band 104binds/bundles cables/wires, bottom surface 118-2 (FIG. 1B) of band 104may face the cables/wires and be in contact with the cables/wires. Band104 may be made of flexible material, such as steel, or anothermaterial.

FIG. 1B shows an isometric perspective bottom/side view of cable tie 100in an open configuration, together with an xyz-axes 101. FIG. 1Billustrates a number of features, of cable tie 100, that are not shownin FIG. 1A. For example, FIG. 1B shows side edge 112-2 with gap/opening114-2. FIG. 1B also shows band 104 extending from entrance portion 116-1into locking body 102 (along the negative x-axis) and exiting fromlocking body 102 via opening 114-2 to form a clip 124 with a flap 126that covers bottom walls 106-4 and 106-5. As shown, clip 124 and flap126 are integrally formed with band 104. In a different implementation,clip 124 and flap 126 be constructed separately from band 104 and thenaffixed together via screws or another mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 1B, flap 126 includes, in one embodiment, at about themiddle of its surface, a tab 128 with a crease 130. Bottom walls 106-4and 106-5 above tab 128 has a hole (e.g., a square hole whose front edgeis aligned with a front edge of tab 128) (not shown in FIG. 1B). Tab 128is thrust upward in the direction of arrow 129 into the hole, bent aboutcrease 130 (e.g., in the direction of the z-axis).

In this configuration, side walls 106-1 and 106-3 of locking body 102,clip 124, and tab 128 hold/affix a portion of locking body 102 to aninterior portion of band 104, with the bottom surface 118-2 of band 104being flush with an interior surface (the surface within locking body102) of bottom walls 106-4 and 106-5 and the top surface of flap 126being flush with the exterior surface (the surface in the-z direction)of bottom walls 106-4 and 106-5. Side walls 106-1 and 106-3 prevent theinterior portion of band 104 from moving laterally in thenegative/positive y-direction with respect to locking body 102. Clip124, which is integral to band 124, prevents locking body 102 fromsliding in the negative/positive x-direction relative to the interiorportion of band 104. Tab 128, having been pushed into the hole in bottomwalls 106-4 and 106-5, catches an edge of the hole when an externalforce is applied to locking body 102 relative to the interior portion ofband 104 in the positive x-direction. Tab 128 and the hole preventslocking body 102 from sliding in the x-direction relative to theinterior portion of band 104.

FIG. 2 is an expanded isometric perspective top/side view of cable tie100 in the closed configuration. In FIG. 2, end portion 116-3 of band104 has been inserted into gap/hole 114-2 formed at side wall 112-2 oflocking body 102, and passed through and out of locking body 102 viagap/hole 114-1, resulting in the closed configuration. In theconfiguration, a section/portion of band 104 (e.g., end section 116-3)overlaps with entrance portion 116-1 of band 104. In FIG. 2, bottomsurface 118-2 of end section 116-3 would be in contact with the topsurface 118-1 of entrance section 116-1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of cable tie100 in the closed configuration. FIG. 3 shows a number of features thatare not visible in FIG. 1A through FIG. 2. As shown, housing 108encloses space 302 in which a ball bearing 304 and sphere 306 areplaced. In one implementation, ball bearing 304 may be made of metal(e.g., steel) and sphere 306 may be made of elastomeric or anothermaterial (e.g, plastic, rubber, sponge-like or spring-like material,stainless steel sponge, etc.). In the implementation illustrated in FIG.3, ball bearing 304 and sphere 306 may have approximately the samediameter. In other implementations, the diameters may be different.

FIG. 3 also shows entrance portion 116-1 extending into housing 108 asan interior section/portion 308, which joins clip 124. In the closedconfiguration, interior section 308 is underneath end section 116-3 andabove bottom walls 106-4 and 106-5. In FIG. 3, bottom wall 106-4 isillustrated as having front area 310-1 and a rear area 310-2. Betweenfront area 310-1 and rear area 310-2 is a hole 312, into which tab 128protrudes in the direction of arrow 129. Hole 312 may be in the shape ofa rectangle, square, and/or another shape (e.g., circle, etc.) Asexplained above, an edge of tab 128 engages an edge of hole 312 ifhousing 108 is pushed/pulled in the x-direction relative to interiorsection 308, and prevents housing 108 from sliding in the x-directionrelative to interior section 308 (e.g., prevents housing 108 fromdetaching from interior portion 308 of band 104).

FIGS. 4A through 4C are cross-sectional side views of cable tie 100 atdifferent stages of closing cable tie 100 into a loop. FIG. 4A is across sectional side view of cable tie 100 before end section 116-3 ofband 104 is inserted into locking body 102 via gap/opening 114-2 to bein the closed configuration. Like FIG. 3, FIG. 4A shows ball bearing 304and sphere 306 occupying space 302 of housing 108.

FIG. 4B is a cross sectional side view of cable tie 100 when end section116-1 of band 104 is partially inserted into locking body 102 of cabletie 100. In FIG. 4B, after band 104 is wrapped about a bundle ofcables/wires, end section 116-3 is pushed in the direction of arrow 406via gap/opening 114-2 into housing 108. Consequently, end section 116-3overlaps with interior section 308. As end section 116-3 moves furtherin the direction of arrow 406, section 116-3 pushes ball bearing 304,causing ball bearing 304 to move in the direction of arrow 408, suchthat section 116-3 may slide underneath ball bearing 304. In addition,section 116-3 also pushes ball bearing 304 in the direction of arrow410, causing an area 412 on ball bearing 304 to contact an area 414 ofsphere 306. Although the force on area 414 pushes sphere 306 in thedirection of arrow 416, because area 418 of sphere 416 is in contactwith stop 110-1 (or the interior surface of side portion 110-1) ofhousing 108, sphere 306 moves, in the direction of x-axis, little or nodistance. Accordingly, sphere 306 prevents ball bearing 304 from movingfurther in the direction of arrow 410 and touching stop 110-1.

FIG. 4C is a cross sectional side view of cable tie 100 after endsection 116-3 of band 104 is inserted into locking body 102 and cabletie 100 is in the closed configuration. In FIG. 4C, having been insertedfully into housing 108, end section 116-3 overlaps with entrance section116-1. From this position, if band 104 is pulled in the direction ofarrow 419, the frictional force between band 104 and ball bearing 304causes ball bearing 304 to move in the direction of arrow 420 to theextent that there is space/clearance in space 302. Because space 302within housing 108 is tapered in the negative x-direction, as ballbearing 304 is driven in the direction of arrow 420 until ball contactsthe surface of portion 110-3 (also referred to as “stop 110-3”), area424 and 422 of ball bearing 304 exert increasing force on the interiorsurface of portion 110-3 of housing 108 and on the top surface of endsection 116-3 of band 104, respectively. The downward force exerted byarea 422 of ball bearing 304 on end section 116-3 may pinch end section116-3 between ball bearing 304 and interior section 308, and thusprevent end section 116-3 from retreating back in the direction of arrow410 through gap/opening 114-2. That is, ball bearing 304 provides forthe locking mechanism of cable tie 100.

As briefly discussed above, in a different embodiment without sphere 306in space 302, when end section 116-3 is inserted into housing 108, endsection 116-3 may cause ball bearing 304 to move all the way (orsignificant portion of the way) to stop 110-1 of housing 108. With ballbearing 304 in such a position, if band 104 were pulled back in thedirection of arrow 419 (e.g., due to the weight of cables that are boundby cable tie 100), as end section 116-3 moves in the same directionrelative to housing 108, ball bearing 304 would also move from the stop110-1 of housing 108 toward the interior surface of portion 110-3 ofhousing 108, until ball bearing 304 locks end section 116-3, and,therefore, band 104. The distance covered by ball bearing 304 until ballbearing 304 locks band 104 is approximately the amount of slippage ofband 104 allowed by cable tie 100. The slippage may result in anundesirable amount of slack in band 104 when cable tie 100 is in theclosed configuration, with band 104 wrapped about cables/wires.

In contrast, with sphere 306 in place as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B,and 4C, ball bearing 304 cannot move in the direction of arrow 410 whenend section 116-3 is inserted into housing 108 (or can only move a smallamount). Hence, when band 104 is pulled in the direction of arrow 419(e.g., by the weight of the cables that are wrapped by band 104), ballbearing 304 cannot travel as significant of a distance until ballbearing 304 locks band 104. In other words, sphere 306 may prevent band104 from slipping, and helping to prevent unwanted slack between band104 and the cables bundled by cable tie 100 (e.g., slipping distance<thedistance occupied by sphere 306 (e.g., the diameter)).

FIG. 5A is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of cable tie100 according to another implementation. In this implementation, cabletie 100 includes, in place of sphere 306, a cylinder 502. Cylinder 502may play a role similar to that of sphere 306 in the implementationsdescribed above.

FIG. 5B is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of cable tie100 according to another implementation. In this implementation, cable100 includes, in place of sphere 306, a block 504. Block 504 may preventball bearing 304 from allowing undesirable slippage of band 104 whenband 104 is closed around cables/wires, in a manner similar to thatdescribed above for sphere 306 (e.g., by occupying a space between ballbearing 304 and stop 110-1 of housing 108.

FIGS. 6A-6C are cross-sectional side views of cable tie 100 according toother implementations. FIG. 6A shows the cross-sectional view of cabletie 100 according to one implementation. In this implementation, ballbearing 604, square/cube 606, and side portions 602-1 through 602-3correspond to ball bearing 304, sphere 306, and side portions 110-1through 110-3, respectively, illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C. Furthermore,each of ball bearing 604, cube 606, side portions 602-1 through 602-3has a functional role corresponding to the role of bearing 304, sphere306, and side portions 110-1 through 110-3, respectively. In addition,cube 606 acts as a spring between bearing 604 and side portion 110-1.Cube 606 exerts a pressure on bearing 604 by pushing against sideportion 602-1 and bearing 604. This prevents bearing 604 from movingaway substantially from portion 602-3, and reducing the force on section116-3 when section 116-3 is fully inserted in housing 108.

In a typical implementation, cube 606 may be made of resilient material,such as stainless steel or stainless steel wire mesh. Depending on theimplementation, cube 606 may be replaced by a stainless steel mesh ofanother shape, such as a round ball, cylinder, rectangular box/prism,etc. In contrast to portions 110 in FIG. 4A-4C, portions 602 may beshorter or longer-that is, portions 602 may extend to properlyaccommodate cube 606.

FIG. 6B shows the cross-sectional view of cable tie 100 according to yetanother implementation. In this implementation, ball bearing 608 andsphere 610 and side portions 612-1 through 612-3 correspond to ballbearing 304, sphere 306, and side portions 110-1 through 110-3,respectively, illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C. Each of ball bearing 608,sphere 610, side portions 612-1 through 612-3 has a functional rolesimilar to the role of bearing 304, sphere 306, and side portions 110-1through 110-3, respectively. In this implementation, ball bearing 608 issmaller (i.e., has a smaller diameter) than sphere 610 such that ballbearing 608 occupies slack/room in housing 108. Ball bearing 608 andsphere 610 prevent each other from “sloshing” in housing 108 (byoccupying the space in housing 108), and thus prevent reduction of theforce exerted by bearing 608 and/or sphere 610 on section 116-3 whensection 116-3 is fully inserted in housing 108.

Portions 612 may be dimensioned to properly accommodate ball bearing 608and sphere 610. In some implementations, both ball bearing 608 andsphere 610 may be composed of the same or similar materials (e.g.,stainless steel).

FIG. 6C shows the cross-sectional view of cable tie 100 according to yetanother implementation. In this implementation, sphere 614 correspondsto ball bearing 304 and sphere 306, and portions 616-1 through 616-3correspond to portions 110-1 through 110-3 illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C.In FIG. 6C, portions 616-1, 616-2, and 616-3 are shaped/cut such thatportions 616-1 and/or 616-2 (“housing 108” or buckle) act as backstopagainst sphere 614. Once inserted into housing 108, section 116-3 actsas a leaf spring on sphere 614 and pushes sphere 614 against portions616-1 through 616-3. That is, when section 116-3 of cable tie 100 isinserted in housing/buckle 108, sphere 614 is pressed against portions616 (e.g., especially portions 616-1 and 616-2) by section 116-3. Whensection 116-3 is being pulled back out of housing 108, sphere 614 ispulled toward portion 616-3, which increases the force applied bysection 116-3 against sphere 614. This causes sphere 614 to increase itsforce on portion 616-3 and section 116-3, preventing section 116-3 frombeing pulled out of housing 108. In this implementation, section 116-3′sleaf-spring action against sphere 614 and the shape of portions 616prevent sphere 614 from moving substantially away from portion 616-3.This causes sphere 614 to maintain constant pressure on section 116-3and not allow section 116-3 to slip away from within housing 108.

In some implementations, interior portion 308 may include a “dimple” ora hole. In other implementations, interior portion 308 excludes (i.e.,is without) a dimple or a hole. If a hole or a dimple exists on interiorportion 308, when section 116-3 is fully inserted into housing 108,bearing/sphere (e.g., any one of bearing 304, sphere 306, cylinder 502,cube 606, bearing 608, sphere 610, or sphere 614) may drive the area (ofsection 116-3) on which the bearing sits into the hole (on interiorportion 308) underneath section 116-3. In this way, the dimple or holeon interior portion 308 may further stabilize the bearing/sphere. whensection 116-3 is locked by the bearing/sphere.

FIG. 7A is an isometric perspective top/side view of an exemplary cabletie 700 in the open configuration according to another implementation.FIGS. 7B and 7C are top and side views, respectively, of the cable tieof FIG. 7A. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, cable tie 700 may include a lockingbody 702 and a band 704.

Locking body 702 includes similar components as locking body 102 and ismade of the same material as locking body 102. In addition, locking body702 may operate similarly as locking body 102.

Band 704 includes similar components and is made of the same material asband 104. Band 704 also operates similarly to band 104. In contrast toband 104, however, band 704 includes front section 716-1, spring section716-2, and end section 716-3.

As further shown, spring section 716-2 includes five wave springs, 722,726, 730, 734, and 738. Each of wave springs 722, 726, 730, and 734includes downward arcs, an upward arc, and an end piece. For example,wave spring 722 includes downward arcs 722-1 and 722-3, upward arc722-2, and end piece 724. As shown, each of wave springs 726, 730, and734 include similar components as wave spring 722. Wave spring 738 isslightly different from other wave springs 722, 726, 730, and 734 inthat wave spring 738 does not include an end piece.

A downward arc may include a strip that is curved convex relative to thebottom surface of band 704 (the downward arc is also curved concaverelative to the top surface of band 704). Conversely, an upward arc mayinclude a strip that is curved convex relative to the top surface ofband 704 (the upward arc is also curved concave relative to the bottomsurface of band 704). For wave spring 722, one end of downward arc 722-1is attached to a piece that precedes wave spring 722 (i.e., frontsection 716 in this case) and the other end of downward arc 722-1 isattached to end piece 724. Similarly, one end of downward arc 722-3 isattached to a piece that precedes wave spring 722 (i.e., front section716) and the other end of downward arc 722-3 is attached to end piece724. Upward arc 722-2 is similarly configured. The arcs of other wavesprings 726, 730, and 734 are arranged similarly as those of wave spring722. For wave spring 738, one ends of downward arcs 738-1 and 738-3 andupward arc 738-2 are attached to end section 716-3 (since there is noend piece for wave spring 738).

For each of the wave springs 722, 726, 730, and 734, its end pieceinterconnects its upward and downward arcs. (e.g., arcs 722 areconnected to one other via end piece 724). Hence, each end piece allowsthe corresponding wave spring to function as a single unit and providesnecessary rigidity to the wave spring. Without the end piece, forexample, downward arc 722-1 of wave spring 722 would be directlyattached to arc 726-1 of the next wave spring 726, and thus form acontinuous series of arcs. The series of arcs 722-1 and 726-1 would befree to move relative to another series of upward arcs (i.e., 722-2 and726-2) parallel to downward arcs 722-1 and 726-1.

As illustrated in FIG. 7C, to wrap cable tie 700 about a load (e.g.,bundle of cables, pipes, beams, wires, pencils, etc.) (not shown) undertie 700, end section 716-3 of tie 700 may be to bent in the direction ofarrow 740. Once wrapped about the load, end section 716-3 may beinserted into locking body 702 and tightened (e.g., by pulling on endsection 716-3). Tightening cable tie 700 may exert different forcecomponents on each of the wave springs.

FIG. 7D illustrates different forces that are applied to wave spring 722of cable tie 700 when cable tie 700 is in use and tightened. FIG. 7Dshows the original shape of arcs 722-1 through 722-3 in dotted lines andthe final shape of the arcs in solid lines after the forces act on thearcs.

As shown, as the result of tightening cable tie 700, pulling forces areapplied to the ends of arcs 722-1 through 722-3 in the directions ofarrows 750 and 754, by front section 716-1 and end piece 724. The forceswiden (or spread apart) arcs 722-1 through 722-3 in the same directionsas the arrows. As the arcs widen, the arcs exert restorative forces(spring's force) in the directions opposite to those the arrows, tofront section 716-1 and end piece 724. The restorative forces from eachof the wave springs 722, 726, 730, 734, and 738 are transmittedthroughout band 704, keeping tie 700 tight around the load and inequilibrium against the pulling forces. The constant tension in cabletie 700 may keep end section 716-3 in locking body 702 from slidingfurther into body 702 (e.g., due to vibration or other disturbances) andmay prevent locking mechanisms within locking body 702 (e.g.,square/cube 606, ball bearing 608, sphere 610, etc.) from moving andproviding slack to cable tie 700. That is, the tension allows cable tie700 to absorb any vibrations that may cause, without the wave springs,over time, locking body 702 to disengage band 704 or tie 700 frombecoming loose.

When tie 700 is wrapped around a load, a portion(s) on the underside ofarc 702-1 (as shown by arrow 752) may contact the load. The portion incontact with the load may experience a force applied by the load, as theresult of tie 700 being wrapped about the load. For example, assume thatthe load contacts the portion of arc 722-1 at the point of arrow 752.The portion would experience a force in the direction of arrow 752. Theforce would result in further widening of lower arc 722-1. Therestorative forces due to upper arc 722-2 may aid in counteracting thewidening. That is, upper arc 722-2 provides reinforcement to lower arcs722-1 and 722-3.

In FIG. 7B, each arc in a wave spring is approximately 1/3 of the widthof tie 700. In a different implementation, the width of each arc in awave spring may be wider or narrower than those of other arcs in thespring. Each arc may be made longer/shorter (i.e., in the lengthwisedirection of tie 700) taller/less tall (in the direction of arrow H inFIG. 7D). Such changes may provide more flexibility or rigidity to tie700. For example, increasing the lengths of upper/lower arcs 722-1through 722-3 may increase the flexibility of wave spring 722. The sizeof the end pieces (e.g., pieces 724, 728, 732, and 736) in thelengthwise direction of band 704 may also be increased or decreased(e.g., decreased to zero length).

FIGS. 7A or 7B show the surfaces of the arcs as being relatively smoothand without markings. In some implementations, as illustrated in FIG.7E, for some of the arcs (e.g., upper arcs), a deep, lengthwiseindentation/groove 760 may be placed on the top surface of each arc.This may increase the rigidity or tensile strength of the arcs. In otherimplementations, as illustrated in FIG. 7F, a groove/indentation 762that extends from approximately a portion of an arc to a portion of endpiece may be placed on each of the wave springs (e.g., upper arcs 722-2,726-2, etc.). This may bolster and provide further strength to theportion of the arc that attaches to the end piece. Although FIGS. 7E and7F illustrate the indentations/grooves on the top surface of the upperarcs, in other implementations, the indentations/grooves may also bemade on the lower arcs, on the bottom surface of tie 700.

Although FIGS. 7A-7C, 7E, and 7F show front section 716-1 as beingshorter than spring section 716-2, which is shown as shorter than endsection 716-3, in other implementations, the relative lengths of thesections may vary. Furthermore, although FIGS. 7A-7C, 7E and 7F showonly one spring section 716-2, other implementations may includeadditional spring sections. In such an implementation, each of the wavesprings may or may not include two lower arcs and a single upper arc.For example, a wave spring may include two upper arcs and one lower arc,or alternatively, three lower arcs and two upper arcs. The number ofarc(s) in one wave spring also may be the same or different from thoseof another wave spring.

FIG. 8A is an isometric perspective top/side view of an exemplary cabletie 800 in the open configuration according to yet anotherimplementation. In this implementation, tie 800 includes a locking body(not shown) and band 804.

The locking body for tie 800 includes similar components as locking body102 or 702 and is made of the same material as locking body 102 or 702.In addition, the locking body for cable tie 800 may operate similarly aslocking body 102 or 702.

Band 804 includes similar components and is made of the same material asband 104 or 702. Band 804 also operates similarly to band 104 or 704. Incontrast to bands 104 and 704, however, band 804 includes front section816-1, ear clamp 816-2 and end section 816-3. In contrast to frontsection 116-1 or 716-1, front section 816-1 is illustrated as extendingall the way to the clip (a component corresponding to clip 124 of tie100). Furthermore, tie 800 includes ear clamp 816-2 instead of springsection 716-2, which is in an unclamped configuration. In someimplementations, band 804 may include not just one ear clamp, butmultiple ear clamps arranged in series.

As further shown, clamp 816-2 includes a front wall 870, a top panel872, and a rear wall 874. Front wall 870 is adjoined perpendicularly totop panel 872 via a front corner 876-1, and top panel 872 is adjoinedperpendicularly to rear wall 874 via rear corner 876-2. Ear clamp 816-2is adjoined to: front section 816-1 at front wall 870, which forms a 90degree angle with the front section 816-1; and end section 816-3 at rearwall 874, which forms a 90 degree angle with end section 816-3. Asshown, front wall 870, front corner 876-1, top panel 872, rear corner876-2, and rear wall 874 may form an “n” shape, as a continuous strip(e.g., from stamping out a length of steel band), with front wall 87-andrear wall 874 corresponding to the vertical strokes of the letter “n.”In some implementations, the angle between front wall 870 and frontsection 816-1 (and rear wall 874 and end section 816-3) may be less (orgreater) than 90 degrees.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary ear clamp 816-2of cable tie 800. FIG. 8B illustrates a number of features notillustrated in FIG. 8A. For example, FIG. 8B shows h2, which specifiesthe depth of dimple 876-2 (from dimple floor 880 to top panel 878). Inaddition, FIG. 8B shows front wall 870 as including upper wall 870-1 andlower wall 870-2; and shows rear wall 874 as including upper wall 874-1and lower wall 874-2. The height of lower walls 870-2 and 874-2 is shownas h1.

FIG. 8C is an expanded view of ear clamp 816-2. As shown, dimple 878includes side walls 878-1 and 878-2 and dimple floor 880.

When implementing tie 800, dimple 878 may be placed on the top surfaceof band 804 prior to forming ear clamp 816-2. The side walls of dimple878 may reinforce top panel 878, and prevent top panel 878 from bendingat unwanted places during the manufacture of band 804.

FIG. 8D is an isometric perspective top/side view of cable tie 800 aftercable tie 800 is tightened by crushing ear clamp 816-2. During its use,cable tie 800 may be wrapped about a load (e.g., bundle of cables,pipes, beams, wires, pencils, etc.) (not shown) under tie 800. Oncewrapped about the load, end section 816-3 may be inserted into lockingbody (not shown) of cable tie 800 and tightened (e.g., by pulling on endsection 816-3).

At this point, ear clamp 816-2 may be crushed to increase the tension oncable tie 800. To crush ear clamp 816-2, forces may be applied on frontwall 870 and rear wall 874 in the directions of arrows 880-1 and 880-2,respectively, for example, by using a pair of pliers. Applying theforces bring front wall 870 and rear wall 874 toward one another,pulling band 804 around the load. If there is no slack, then bringingfront wall 870 and rear wall 874 toward one another would stretch band804. In such a case, the restorative force of band 800 would provideadditional tension on band 804 around the load.

FIG. 8E is a cross-sectional side view of ear clamp 816-2 after earclamp 816-2 has been crushed. Comparing FIG. 8E to FIG. 8B shows howfront wall 870 and real wall 874 bend when ear clamp 816-2 is crushed.In FIG. 8B, upper wall 870-1 of front wall 870 and upper wall 874-1 ofrear wall 874 are vertical (perpendicular) relative to a surface of toppanel 872. As ear clamp 816-2 is crushed, upper wall 870-1 bends aboutfront corner 876-1 such that upper wall 870-1′s flat surface becomespositioned underneath and parallel to top panel 872. Upper wall 874-1 issimilarly configured after ear clamp 876-2 is crushed. In FIG. 8E,because upper walls 870-1 and 874-1 are parallel to top panel 872, upperwalls 870-1 and 874-1 do not contribute significantly to the overallheight of ear clamp 816-2 (i.e., the distance between top panel 878 andthe plane on which the top surface of front and end sections 816-1 and816-2 lie).

In FIG. 8E, after ear clamp 816-2 has been crushed/collapsed, frontcorner 876-1, top panel 872, rear corner 876-2, upper walls 870-1 and874-1 of (front wall 870, and rear wall 874, respectively) form a “head”of ear clamp 816-2. Lower walls 870-2 and 874-2 (of front and rear walls870 and 874, respectively) form the “neck” of ear clamp 816-2.

FIG. 9A is an isometric perspective top/side view of an ear clamp 916-2according to another exemplary implementation. In FIG. 8E, as describedabove, after ear clamp 816-2 has been crushed/collapsed, ear clamp 816-2includes a head (formed by front corner 876-1, top panel 872, rearcorner 876-2, upper walls 870-1 and 874-1 of (front wall 870, and rearwall 874, respectively) and a neck (formed by lower walls 870-2 and874-2 (of front and rear walls 870 and 874, respectively)). In contrast,in FIG. 8E, after ear clamp 916-2 has been crushed/collapsed, ear clamp916-2 includes a very short or no neck.

FIG. 9B and 9C are cross-sectional side views of an ear clamp accordingto other implementations. In FIG. 8B, prior to being crushed, thecross-sectional side view of ear clamp 816-2 is in the shape of theletter “n” (or arguably the upside down letter “U”). In contrast, inFIG. 9B, prior to being crushed, the cross-sectional side-view of earclamp 926-2 is in the shape of the letter “M.” In FIG. 9C, prior tobeing crushed, the cross-sectional side-view of ear clamp 936-2 is inthe shape of a the Greek letter lambda “A.” When ear clamp 926-2 or936-2 are collapsed, the front section (e.g., 816-1) and the end section(816-3) of the cablie tie are brought closer together, tightening thecable tie about its load. Depending on the implementation, the ear clampfor cable tie 100 or 8000, may take other shapes, as long as crushingthe ear clamp brings front and end sections closer together and tightensthe cable tie.

The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration, butis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to theprecise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of theteachings. For example, in some implementations, housing 108 may beshaped differently than that illustrated in FIGS. 1-6C. Furthermore, insome implementations, more than a single sphere 306, cylinder 502, orblock 504 may be placed within housing 108 to prevent ball bearing 304from “sloshing” and allowing slippage of band 104 in the closedconfiguration. In some implementations, in place of sphere 306 orcylinder 502, or block 504, a spring or spring-like component may beplaced in housing 108 to prevent slippage. Furthermore, depending on theimplementation, a different type of band 104 may be used in place ofband 104 (e.g., thicker band, narrower band, etc.). In still otherimplementations, top surface 118-1 of band 104, the interior surfaces ofhousing 108, and/or ball bearing 304 may include ridges to increase thefriction between top surface 118-1 of band 104, the interior surfaces ofhousing 108, and/or ball bearing 304.

Although different implementations have been described above, it isexpressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art that the implementations may be modified without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, orarrangement may be made to the invention without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above mentioneddescription is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and thetrue scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when usedin this specification is taken to specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps or components but does not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,components, or groups thereof.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential to the implementations describedherein unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, thearticle “a” is intended to include one or more items. Further, thephrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on”unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable tie comprising: a band including a bottomsurface and an top surface, comprising: a front section that extendslengthwise from one end of the front section, an ear clamp whose one endadjoins the other end of the front section, and an end section whose oneend adjoins and extends from the other end of the ear clamp; and ahousing, affixed near the front section, with a first opening to receivethe end section of the band when the end section of the band is broughttoward the housing in a loop, wherein the housing is configured to lockthe end section of the band in place when the housing receives the endsection via the first opening; wherein when the band is wrapped aboutone or more items, the end section is inserted into the housing, and theband is tightened about the items, the cable tie is in a closedconfiguration.
 2. The cable tie of claim 1, wherein when the cable tieis in the closed configuration, crushing the ear clamp increases tensionin the band.
 3. The cable tie of claim 1, wherein the ear clampincludes: a front wall substantially perpendicular to the top surface ofthe band; a rear wall substantially perpendicular to the top surface ofthe band; and a top panel parallel to the top surface of the band andsubstantially perpendicular to both the front wall and the rear wall,wherein one end of the front wall is adjoined to the front section, oneend of the rear wall is adjoined to the end section, one end of the toppanel is adjoined to the other end of the front wall, and the and theother end of the top panel is adjoined to the other end of the rearwall.
 4. The cable tie of claim 3, wherein the top panel includes adimple.
 5. The cable tie of claim 4, wherein the dimple includes sidewalls that reinforce the top panel and prevent the top panel fromcollapsing when forces are applied to the front wall and the rear wallto crush the ear clamp.
 6. The cable tie of claim 5, wherein crushingthe ear clamp brings the front wall and the rear wall toward each other.7. The cable tie of claim 1, wherein the band includes another earclamp.
 8. The cable tie of claim 1, wherein the end section of the bandis tapered.
 9. The cable tie of claim 1, wherein the band comprisesstainless steel.
 10. The cable tie of claim 1, wherein the housingcomprises: walls that enclose a space and have a stop toward the endsection of the band; a first mass in the space; and a second mass placedin the space and between the first mass and the stop; wherein when theend section is inserted into the housing, the end section passes underthe first mass and the second mass and exerts a pull on the first masstoward the second mass, wherein when the first mass is pulled toward thesecond mass, the second mass acts as a spring between the first mass andthe stop and prevents the first mass from hitting the stop, and wherein,after the end section is inserted into the housing and when the endsection is being pulled out of the housing, due to a force exerted bythe second mass to the first mass and the walls, the first mass squeezesthe end section against a bottom of the housing and locks the endsection in the housing.
 11. A cable tie comprising: a band having afirst end and a second end; a housing, affixed to the band near thesecond end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band,configured to lock the first end of the band in place when the housingreceives the first end via the first opening; wherein the band includesan ear clamp; wherein the ear clamp includes: a front wall perpendicularto a top surface of the band; a rear wall perpendicular to the topsurface of the band; and a top panel parallel to the top surface of theband and perpendicular to both the front wall and the rear wall, whereinone end of the front wall is adjoined to the first end, one end of therear wall is adjoined to the second end, one end of the top panel isadjoined to the other end of the front wall, and the other end of thetop panel is adjoined to the other end of the rear wall, and whereinwhen the band is wrapped about one or more items, the first end isinserted into the housing, and the band is tightened about the items,the cable tie is in a closed configuration.
 12. The cable tie of claim11, wherein the band includes another ear clamp.
 13. The cable tie ofclaim 11, wherein when in the closed configuration, crushing the earclamp increases tension in the band.
 14. The cable tie of claim 13,wherein crushing the ear clamp includes applying forces on the frontwall and the rear wall of the ear clamp, to bring the front wall and therear wall toward one another.
 15. The cable tie of claim 11, wherein thetop panel includes a dimple.
 16. The cable tie of claim 15, wherein thedimple includes side walls that reinforce the top panel and prevent thetop panel from collapsing when forces are applied to the front wall andthe rear wall to crush the ear clamp.
 17. The cable tie of claim 11,wherein one of the ends of the band is tapered.
 18. The cable tie ofclaim 11, wherein the band comprises stainless steel.
 19. The cable tieof claim 11, wherein the housing comprises: a first mass and a secondmass in a space enclosed by the housing, wherein, after the first end isinserted into the housing and when the first end is being pulled out ofthe housing, the first mass squeezes the first end against a bottom ofthe housing and locks the first end in the housing, and wherein thesecond mass prevents the first mass from moving about in the space andprevents the first mass from allowing the first end to slip.
 20. Thecable tie of claim 19, wherein the first mass includes a sphere.